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News from the world of Maths

On the 23rd of June this year Alan Turing would have celebrated his 100th birthday. During his short and tragic life he revolutionised the scientific world and so 2012 was declared Turing Year.
We're sad to see that an official pardon for his 1952 conviction for homosexuality, which was then illegal, still hasn't been granted. But that hasn't stopped us from celebrating his life and scientific achievements.

Space is three-dimensional ... or is it? When we spoke to theoretical physicist David Berman in October this year we found out that in fact, we are all used to living in a curved, multidimensional universe. And a mathematical argument might just explain how those higher dimensions are hidden from view.

Want to stop your brain from rusting this Christmas? Then visit our sister project NRICH, which received a major make-over this year and now has a beautiful new website. NRICH is aimed at students and teachers of maths of all ages and backgrounds. It offers challenging and engaging activities that develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills
and show rich mathematics in meaningful contexts.

The Isaac Newton Institute celebrates its 20th birthday this year, having opened in July 1992. To celebrate we had a rare glimpse behind its venerable doors to explore some of the research programmes that have been held there. As you'll see, what started out as abstract mathematics scribbled on the back of a napkin can have major impact in the real world.